Tyler Cameron: What could the Blackhawks look like next year? Now with the season officially over in Blackhawks-land, I wanted to take a glance forward to see how this offseason could play out for Stan Bowman and Co.

I will begin to answer the key questions and comments boilermaker100 has asked as I reveal what I think will happen this offseason

Anything north of 2-2.5 AAV is a gross overpay for Strome.

Tyler Cameron: What could the Blackhawks look like next year?
Now with the season officially over in Blackhawks-land, I wanted to take a glance forward to see how this offseason could play out for Stan Bowman and Co.

I will begin to answer the key questions and comments boilermaker100 has asked as I reveal what I think will happen this offseason
- Tyler Cameron

I like Kubalik, but I'm not sure exactly what he showed us this year.

He made his season over 8 games in January - scoring 10 goals in those games. In his last 20 games, he scored in only 6 of them. He did get 9 goals in those games because of a deuce (in a 3-goal loss) and a hattie (in a 3-goal win).

So - while he's certainly no Perlini, what is he really - 40 per? 30? 20? He's a good sniper who will go to the net.

I'd try to go $3MM AAV for two years - one if necessary.

Strome I'd try to get down to $3MM AAV too.

Does that give enough to resign Caggiula? Or a replacement?

Caggiula is more valuable to the team than Nylander. Trade Nylander for a bag of pucks and resign The Drake.

I'll tell you what they'll look like! They'll look like poop!

#hottakes

I'll tell you what they'll look like! They'll look like poop!

#hottakes
- mohel

Hooray for sarcasm!

I like Kubalik, but I'm not sure exactly what he showed us this year.

He made his season over 8 games in January - scoring 10 goals in those games. In his last 20 games, he scored in only 6 of them. He did get 9 goals in those games because of a deuce (in a 3-goal loss) and a hattie (in a 3-goal win).

So - while he's certainly no Perlini, what is he really - 40 per? 30? 20? He's a good sniper who will go to the net.

I'd try to go $3MM AAV for two years - one if necessary.

Strome I'd try to get down to $3MM AAV too.

Does that give enough to resign Caggiula? Or a replacement?
- StLBravesFan

Kubalik showed he could be a major league scorer, but lacked NHL over all game and is a guy who basically you get the puck to in looks, but don't expect consistent zone entires, c carriers or wall takeaway.

Strome IS NHL PLAYER, but one whose still a finesse big man with more work do on his feet. He isn't skating in concrete though as some suggest.

If Caggiula didn't earn a new contract I dont know who did.

Tyler it's a fun blog you wrote to try and game out next seasons personnel.

The maatta trade I heard that same scenario a few weeks back regarding a best possibility New Jersey.

From the most recent press conference stan had he mentioned that he didn't see much change and seemed to not fully shoot down the buyout options but was leaning against that.


Saad has 1 year left on his contract would you see Chicago maybe move saad in a package deal to move up in the draft ?

Shaw is probably the biggest ? If he is healthy imo he is more valuable to the team than drake .

Any potential free agents can Chicago sign Crawford before the free agency date or are they subject to waiting?

Nobody is going to give Crawford what he probably wants on the open market. But, Hawks will overpay as they tend to do with their veterans. They also will overpay for Kubalik. Great first season, but no evidence that he will continue to grow as a player. Because of this, Strome walks and so does Caggiula.

I'd be surprised if someone isn't willing to trade for Maata. Maybe a division rival like the Jets or Stars?

Nobody is going to give Crawford what he probably wants on the open market. But, Hawks will overpay as they tend to do with their veterans. They also will overpay for Kubalik. Great first season, but no evidence that he will continue to grow as a player. Because of this, Strome walks and so does Caggiula.

I'd be surprised if someone isn't willing to trade for Maata. Maybe a division rival like the Jets or Stars?
- Hawkeynation

This is a team that I have eyed up to potential ask for a guy like Maatta. He would fit in nicely there.

Hawks aren ‘t the only team in cap trouble, some are even worse. Someone will want Matta. Hell Detroit needs about 4 or 5 defenseman that look like they belong at least as a bottom pair on an NHL club. Maybe a third round draft choice? I would even take Darren Helm, one year left at $3.8 million.

Also buying out Helm would cost #1,850,000 this year and $1,000,000 next.

Anything north of 2-2.5 AAV is a gross overpay for Strome.
- SteveRain

Came to say the same. $2.5 AAV should be the max.

I think one good thing that came out of the play-in and playoff games is that you can see the difference between Regular season competence and Playoff game needs. Strome at this point is the poster boy for the gap, with Nylander being his body double.

I think ADB showed he can be a playoff player, Kubalik showed well against EDM, then struggled a bit against Vegas, though he continued to work hard and not shy away. I'm on the fence about Cagiula. He brings something you need, but so can a lot of other guys. If you get Strome at 2.5 and Kubalik around 3, it should leave you with enough to get Cags at about the same number he is at.

Tyler it's a fun blog you wrote to try and game out next seasons personnel.

The maatta trade I heard that same scenario a few weeks back regarding a best possibility New Jersey.

From the most recent press conference stan had he mentioned that he didn't see much change and seemed to not fully shoot down the buyout options but was leaning against that.


Saad has 1 year left on his contract would you see Chicago maybe move saad in a package deal to move up in the draft ?

Shaw is probably the biggest ? If he is healthy imo he is more valuable to the team than drake .

Any potential free agents can Chicago sign Crawford before the free agency date or are they subject to waiting?
- Taylorst1

There is a possibility Saad goes in a trade but A) I would hate to see that at this point. He is what Colliton is talking about in terms of that mindset. And B) The return better be more than just cap space and picks if the Hawks hope to continue to move forward.

Came to say the same. $2.5 AAV should be the max.

I think one good thing that came out of the play-in and playoff games is that you can see the difference between Regular season competence and Playoff game needs. Strome at this point is the poster boy for the gap, with Nylander being his body double.

I think ADB showed he can be a playoff player, Kubalik showed well against EDM, then struggled a bit against Vegas, though he continued to work hard and not shy away. I'm on the fence about Cagiula. He brings something you need, but so can a lot of other guys. If you get Strome at 2.5 and Kubalik around 3, it should leave you with enough to get Cags at about the same number he is at.
- TheTrob

I'm with you guys... I'd love to only pay $2.5(ish) for Strome. I just have a feeling he's going to be higher and that Stan will do it.

Hawks aren ‘t the only team in cap trouble, some are even worse. Someone will want Matta. Hell Detroit needs about 4 or 5 defenseman that look like they belong at least as a bottom pair on an NHL club. Maybe a third round draft choice? I would even take Darren Helm, one year left at $3.8 million.

Also buying out Helm would cost #1,850,000 this year and $1,000,000 next.
- LAHawk

Isn't Maata's buyout less than Helm's? Unless we got a helluva sweetener, I would stay away from that one.

I'm with you guys... I'd love to only pay $2.5(ish) for Strome. I just have a feeling he's going to be higher and that Stan will do it.
- Tyler Cameron

How about Saad to Boston for Wagner, Ritchie, Kuraly. Hawks then sign Dadonov as a free agent. Dadonov has scored 28 goals the past 2 seasons, and upgrade their 4th line with size, grit, and snarl.

Seems like Crawford would be signed to a 35+ deal

Isn't Maata's buyout less than Helm's? Unless we got a helluva sweetener, I would stay away from that one.
- tvetter

Matta,s buyout is $700k, but you own it for 4 years, not 2

I do not like Colliton's defensive system. The Islanders supposedly play a man to man defense and look at how good they are defensively as a TEAM. No number one defensmen just six good reliable defensemen and the team supports their play. Vegas too ... no number one or two defensemen ... just a bunch of good solid defensemen that get support from their forwards. Watching the emergence of Hughes in Vancouver and Makar in Colorado, it's frustrating to watch the regression of Boquist ! The Hawks really need for Boquist or possibly Ian Mitchell, to make an impact in their line up next year .... similar to what Hughes and Makar have done this year. This what make trading other plays easier and clear out some salary. Strome needs a "show me" contract - 2 million for one year. Kubalik: 3 million for two years. Don't forget, the expansioin draft might help us with salary cap if the Kraken takes a veteran off our hands

Some thought Perlini would get 2mil+....

Strome should get @2m at best. Hes a RFA

And I'd trade DeHaan before Maata

Same salary. Maata is younger. Dehaan is injury prone.

Maata has won before and his game elevated in the playoffs, and I thought he and Koekkoek player well together. I think the experience Koekkoek even had coming from a winning organization/part of playoff runs in TB helped him.

If move DeHaan for anything they can get. Anything. Resign Koekkoek

I think guys that have won like Keith, Seabrook, Maata - are going to go a long ways in helping develop the next generation of Boqvist, Mitchell, Beaudin and Carlson.

I'm with you guys... I'd love to only pay $2.5(ish) for Strome. I just have a feeling he's going to be higher and that Stan will do it.
- Tyler Cameron

I think if you're Stan and you realistically look at the full picture, and weigh the pluses and minuses you have to proceed with caution. Strome is only 23 and has yet to prove it over a full season. His showing in the playoffs is also a mark against him. Give him a reasonable 2-year bridge deal and let him prove he can make the next step. As an RFA and a flat cap, Stan has the leverage, time to use it.

It would be interesting to know exactly what Stan's plan longer term is. In the past we can see the contracts given to Kane and Toews were with the assumption the cap was going to increase a bunch over the next few seasons....it didn't. Some of the "cost assurance" contracts he signed turned out in hindsight to be a mixed bag. Murphy's contract looks pretty good. While I would have loved Panarin around for a few more years, there is no way they were going to be able to retain/pay him and Saad was a known. Would Seabrook have received that contract from someone else on the open market? In hindsight that was a chance he should have taken, although even at the time many thought it was a massive overpay for that term. Maybe the knowledge of a flat cap for a couple of years will force Stan to not assume cap growth for help in staying under the cap going forward.

Nobody is going to give Crawford what he probably wants on the open market. But, Hawks will overpay as they tend to do with their veterans. They also will overpay for Kubalik. Great first season, but no evidence that he will continue to grow as a player. Because of this, Strome walks and so does Caggiula.

I'd be surprised if someone isn't willing to trade for Maata. Maybe a division rival like the Jets or Stars?
- Hawkeynation

Any chance you can define "overpay" here? I mean with an actual number. Or do you want to leave that vague enough to declare that they overpaid no matter the number?

I do not like Colliton's defensive system. The Islanders supposedly play a man to man defense and look at how good they are defensively as a TEAM. No number one defensmen just six good reliable defensemen and the team supports their play. Vegas too ... no number one or two defensemen ... just a bunch of good solid defensemen that get support from their forwards. Watching the emergence of Hughes in Vancouver and Makar in Colorado, it's frustrating to watch the regression of Boquist ! The Hawks really need for Boquist or possibly Ian Mitchell, to make an impact in their line up next year .... similar to what Hughes and Makar have done this year. This what make trading other plays easier and clear out some salary. Strome needs a "show me" contract - 2 million for one year. Kubalik: 3 million for two years. Don't forget, the expansioin draft might help us with salary cap if the Kraken takes a veteran off our hands
- chuckdahammer

Not sure if Boquist regressed, throwing a 19y.o. into a playoff series against a team like the Knights is a tall task. Definitely a learning experience for him. I think that the Hawks have put the reins on him more than VAN or COL did with Makar and Hughes. Neither of those 2 are great in their own ends at this point, but they are given freer reins to create on offense.

Not sure if Boquist regressed, throwing a 19y.o. into a playoff series against a team like the Knights is a tall task. Definitely a learning experience for him. I think that the Hawks have put the reins on him more than VAN or COL did with Makar and Hughes. Neither of those 2 are great in their own ends at this point, but they are given freer reins to create on offense.
- TheTrob

Agreed, and Hughes didn't look too good last night.

I think if you're Stan and you realistically look at the full picture, and weigh the pluses and minuses you have to proceed with caution. Strome is only 23 and has yet to prove it over a full season. His showing in the playoffs is also a mark against him. Give him a reasonable 2-year bridge deal and let him prove he can make the next step. As an RFA and a flat cap, Stan has the leverage, time to use it.

It would be interesting to know exactly what Stan's plan longer term is. In the past we can see the contracts given to Kane and Toews were with the assumption the cap was going to increase a bunch over the next few seasons....it didn't. Some of the "cost assurance" contracts he signed turned out in hindsight to be a mixed bag. Murphy's contract looks pretty good. While I would have loved Panarin around for a few more years, there is no way they were going to be able to retain/pay him and Saad was a known. Would Seabrook have received that contract from someone else on the open market? In hindsight that was a chance he should have taken, although even at the time many thought it was a massive overpay for that term. Maybe the knowledge of a flat cap for a couple of years will force Stan to not assume cap growth for help in staying under the cap going forward.
- TheTrob

I agree with you and Tyler. I think we all want Strome at a significant less AAV and I think fitting STrome in will rely on what they sign a goalie for, Kubalik, and so on. I don't think/hope Strome is #1 on the list of things Stan HAS to do this summer.

On a side note, while Stan mentioned training camp for Seabrook, and so on....lets just not assume what he says 100% will happen. I give Stan credit for trying to show transparency with the offseason, but this is going to be a nightmare to navigate with the entire league all in the same spots.....lets not also forget you will see some players/agents strategize their NTCs list to keep them somewhere they are happy to make it harder on a GM. IE....Fleury in Vegas.